With a sense of urgency

The IndiGo operational crisis has once again exposed the vulnerability of a place like Kashmir in terms of travel in and outside this place. This crisis that hit not just J&K but the entire country has many lessons from operational efficiency of corporates to governance structures, from infrastructure to economy. That is the big picture. But here in Kashmir we have some specific lessons to draw, and it is right time to talk about it.

The winters have begun, and the time to see disruption in the surface travel  is here. The only year round road link that connects Kashmir to the rest of the country is the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. A shower here and there along the road and the announcement comes that the road is closed or a limited traffic movement is scheduled. A heavy snowfall and the disruption can last for many days. In such a situation, the only way to travel in and out of Kashmir is the plane route. But that is not so easy. Once the road is closed rates skyrocket, and are no more affordable to a common person. The IndiGo crisis have also reflected that how in the times of crisis air travel becomes almost impossible for middle class, not to speak of those who board a plane only in case of an emergency.

In Kashmir, as the winters are here, if such crisis persist we have more than our share of problems. One, there are many families that usually move out of Kashmir to warmer places in India. In case the road is closed and air travel becomes too expensive, it affects a large population. We have a sizeable number of students who need to travel back home in case of any emergency in the family. It is a challenge for them. We have people who need to travel outside for health reasons, and cannot go by road. It adds to their woes.

Apart fro this, we had pinned some hopes in winter tourism. If rates are unaffordable, that too can take a hit. So there is a strong case for working on multiple surface links that are dependable and can withstand weather vagaries. It is to be taken up with a sense of urgency.